It’s natural for dogs to be curious about the foods we eat, and those puppy-dog eyes can be hard to resist when they’re begging for a taste of your meal. While sharing some human food with your canine companion might seem harmless, it’s crucial to know that certain everyday items in your kitchen can pose serious health risks to them. Understanding what foods are toxic to dogs is essential for every pet owner to ensure the safety and well-being of their furry friends.
Accidental ingestion of toxic foods is a common reason for emergency vet visits. Dogs, much like toddlers, explore their environment through their mouths, making them susceptible to consuming things they shouldn’t. To prevent potential health crises, it’s important to be vigilant about what your dog might access both inside your home and in your yard.
This guide highlights a list of common foods that are known to be dangerous and even poisonous to dogs. Knowing these potential threats is the first step in creating a safer environment for your beloved pet.
Common Foods Toxic to Dogs: A Detailed List
Several human foods, often considered safe for us, can be harmful or even life-threatening to dogs. Here’s a detailed list of foods you should absolutely keep away from your canine companion:
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Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol has drastically different effects on dogs compared to humans. It can lead to alcohol poisoning, causing vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, coma, and even death.
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Apple Seeds: While apples themselves are safe for dogs, their seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic. Although a few seeds might not cause significant harm, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog the core of an apple.
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Apricot Pits: Similar to apple seeds, apricot pits also contain cyanide and are a choking hazard due to their size and hardness.
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Avocados: Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to dogs in large quantities. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
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Cherry Pits: Cherry pits also contain cyanide and are a choking hazard.
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Candy and Chocolate: Candy, especially chocolate, is well-known to be toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that are dangerous for dogs. Dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate. Furthermore, candies, particularly sugar-free varieties, often contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely poisonous to dogs.
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Chives: Chives, along with onions, garlic, and leeks, belong to the Allium family and are toxic to dogs. They can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
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Coffee (grounds, beans and chocolate-covered espresso beans): Caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that can be toxic to dogs, causing hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and even death. Chocolate-covered espresso beans combine the dangers of both chocolate and coffee.
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Garlic: Like chives and onions, garlic is part of the Allium family and is toxic to dogs, leading to red blood cell damage and anemia. Garlic is considered to be more toxic than onions.
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Grapes: Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Even small amounts can be dangerous, and the exact toxic substance in grapes is still unknown.
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Gum (and sugar-free gums with Xylitol): Gum can cause digestive blockages if swallowed. Sugar-free gums often contain Xylitol, a highly toxic artificial sweetener for dogs, leading to a rapid release of insulin, causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver failure, and even death.
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Hops (used in home beer brewing): Hops are toxic to dogs, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood. They can cause malignant hyperthermia, leading to panting, elevated heart rate, seizures, and death.
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Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, and vomiting in dogs. The exact toxic substance is unknown.
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Moldy Foods: Moldy foods can contain mycotoxins, which are poisonous to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and other neurological issues.
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Mushroom Plants: Certain types of wild mushrooms are poisonous to dogs and can cause liver failure, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and death. It’s crucial to keep dogs away from wild mushrooms.
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Mustard Seeds: Mustard seeds can be toxic to dogs in large quantities, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset.
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Onions, Onion Powder and Onion Flakes: Onions in all forms (raw, cooked, powdered) are toxic to dogs. They damage red blood cells, leading to anemia.
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Peach Pits: Peach pits contain cyanide and are also a choking hazard.
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Potato Leaves and Stems (green parts): Green parts of potatoes, including leaves and stems, contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, tremors, and seizures. Cooked potatoes are generally safe in moderation.
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Raisins: Like grapes, raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
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Rhubarb Leaves: Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is toxic to dogs and can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and kidney failure.
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Salt: Excessive salt intake can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
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Tea (due to caffeine): Tea, like coffee, contains caffeine, which is toxic to dogs and can cause similar symptoms.
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Tomato Leaves and Stems (green parts): Similar to potato leaves and stems, green parts of tomatoes contain solanine and are toxic to dogs. Ripe tomatoes are generally considered safe in moderation.
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Walnuts: Certain types of walnuts, particularly black walnuts and moldy walnuts, can be toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, tremors, and seizures.
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Xylitol (artificial sweetener): Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia, liver failure, seizures, and death. It is found in many sugar-free products like gums, candies, baked goods, and even some peanut butters.
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Yeast Dough: Raw yeast dough can rise in a dog’s stomach, causing bloating and potentially alcohol poisoning as the yeast ferments.
Important Note: This list is not exhaustive. It is always best to err on the side of caution when considering feeding your dog any human food that is not specifically formulated for canine consumption. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before introducing new foods into your dog’s diet. They can provide personalized advice based on your dog’s specific health needs and ensure you are making the safest choices for your furry family member.
By being informed and proactive, you can significantly reduce the risk of your dog ingesting something toxic and help them live a long, healthy, and happy life.
